resources to help you and yours during COVID-19.

career advice, COVID-19

April 09, 2020

share this article:

The coronavirus has disrupted businesses around the U.S. as countless "non-essential" companies have been forced to lay off or furlough staff while they suspend operations. With as many as 47 million people left unemployed and another 67 million at risk of layoffs, workers in almost every industry are looking for new roles or temporary assignments. This sudden drop in employment levels — from a historically low unemployment rate to an estimated 32 percent of Americans out of work almost overnight — is unprecedented, and businesses and government organizations around the country are mobilizing to take action.

If you're one of the many workers who has lost or is at risk of losing a job due to COVID-19, we've put together a list of resources to help you improve your job search, find a new role and provide for your family.

federal programs and services

The U.S. government provides a raft of services and programs for those looking for work and financial assistance. One of the best among them is CareerOneStop.gov, a storehouse of useful resources that makes it easy to search for jobs, find training opportunities and get help with unemployment assistance.

It's a great place to start, but it's just one of many federal resources that can assist you if you've lost your job due to coronavirus.

American Job Centers help job seekers find new roles and provide training to help them grow their careers. Services for those who qualify include skills assessments, assistance with unemployment insurance, access to individual state job boards, career counseling and job placement assistance.

the senior community service employment program (SCSEP) for those over 55

According to the federal government, a worker is "dislocated" if he or she has been laid off, received a layoff notice from a job or receives unemployment benefits as a result of being laid off and is unlikely to return to a previous occupation. That applies to a lot of folks right now, and the Dislocated Workers Program provides job placement and training for those who qualify.

A "qualifying event" must occur, like losing your job or having your hours reduced.

You must be a qualified beneficiary for that event.

Your former employers' HR department should be able to help you understand whether your coverage is covered by COBRA.

leverage veterans.gov

Military veterans and their family members can find a variety of career resources on Veterans.gov. From job boards to skills translators to apprenticeships and more, if you served, you'll likely find assistance here. There's also My Next Move for Veterans, an interactive tool allowing veterans to search for jobs and explore career opportunities and apprenticeships.

Meanwhile, if you’re currently employed, you may qualify for additional sick leave benefits due to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). It applies to workers whose jobs have been affected by coronavirus, those who need to care for a loved one suffering from it or who need help with child care due to closures of schools or daycare facilities. Check this page to see if you and your employer qualify.

pursue an apprenticeship

Apprenticeships are one of the best and most practical ways to learn new skills while getting paid for your work. Apprenticeship.gov is your best bet for finding open apprenticeships near you. And they're not just for early-career folks, either. Anyone can pursue an apprenticeship, so if you're thinking about a career change, this can be a great way to explore a new path while getting paid and earning valuable credentials.

how randstad can help

As the world's largest staffing firm, we can help you find your next role quickly and easily. Here's how.

Not seeing the right role for you on our site right now? Join our talent network. Just tell us what you're looking for — and when we find it, we'll email you directly.

learn new skills
If you've got time on your hands due to COVID-19, why not learn some new skills? We put together a helpful guide for doing just that, along with links to sites with hundreds of free courses you can use to upgrade your skill set — right from home.

upgrade your search

Our career resources include scores of articles, infographics, videos and more designed to help you put your best foot forward and land your next great opportunity, including tips and best practices for:

If you're a veteran, you'll find a ton of useful career resources at Military.com, another Randstad partner site. From job listings to help with resumes and interviews, there's no shortage of ways Military.com can help you find a new role.

we've got your back

We know this is a difficult time for you and your family. None of us were ready for what COVID-19 would do to our economy, our jobs and our lives, and none of us know what comes next. What we do know is that we're here for you, no matter what the future holds. We're all in this together, and that's the way we'll get through this — together.